The problem
"Everyone quotes off the Iskenderun benchmark, but I never see the number until after I've agreed"
"Every buyer I deal with references the Turkish import price as their starting point, which makes sense given how much scrap goes there. The problem is I'm usually told what that benchmark 'implies' for my price after the fact, not given the actual number so I can check it myself."
That's a real information gap for exporters and sellers dealing indirectly with the Turkish market. The benchmark exists and is genuinely influential, but it isn't always shared transparently with the seller whose material started the chain.
Istanbul and Turkey at a glance
Real, verifiable facts
- Turkey has been the world's largest single importer of ferrous scrap for most of this century, importing an estimated 1.5 to 2 million metric tonnes a month.
- Turkish steel production runs at roughly 72% electric arc furnace, a process powered by scrap rather than virgin iron ore, which is what drives that import volume.
- The Iskenderun and Payas terminals handle the bulk of Turkey's seaborne scrap imports, and the Iskenderun scrap deep-sea price functions as the global seaborne benchmark for ferrous scrap.
Because that benchmark is so widely referenced, a seller anywhere in the world who understands it has a real advantage negotiating with a buyer who's pricing off it, rather than just accepting a number described as "in line with the market."
Check today's reference price before a buyer quotes you their version of the benchmark.
Check live pricesWhy the world's biggest benchmark should work for you too
A global reference price is only useful if you can actually see it
The benchmark isn't private information, but it's often treated that way
The Iskenderun deep-sea price is a public, widely-tracked reference used across the international scrap trade, not a proprietary number that belongs to any one buyer. A seller who checks a live reference price independently, rather than relying on a buyer's paraphrase of "the market," is in a stronger position negotiating any deal that ultimately traces back to Turkish import demand.
What's actually moving into Turkey
See the full category reference for what belongs where and how it's priced.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Turkey import so much scrap metal?
Turkish steel production runs at roughly 72% electric arc furnace, a process that depends on scrap rather than virgin iron ore. That makes Turkey the world's largest single importer of ferrous scrap, bringing in an estimated 1.5 to 2 million metric tonnes a month, more than double the volume of the next-largest importer.
What is the Iskenderun price and why does it matter?
The Iskenderun and Payas terminals handle most of Turkey's seaborne scrap imports, and the Iskenderun scrap deep-sea price is widely used as the global seaborne benchmark for ferrous scrap. It's one of the most-watched reference prices in the international scrap trade.
How do I sell scrap metal to buyers connected to Turkey?
List your material for free on ScrapTrade. Set a fixed price or run a live auction and let verified buyers, including mills and traders supplying the Turkish market, compete for it. Check live material pricing first so you understand where your material sits relative to the global benchmark.
Are ScrapTrade buyers connected to Turkey verified?
Yes. Every trader goes through KYC verification and every listing is GPS-verified before it goes live, and payment is held in escrow until pickup or delivery is confirmed, which matters for any seller shipping into one of the world's highest-volume import markets.
Scrap metal in other cities
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Related reading: Trading scrap internationally · Scrap material categories · Live material prices